A fresh batch of 1,795 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Thursday for the Baltal base camp to undertake the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra under multi-layer security arrangements, officials said.

According to the Joint Police Control Room (JPCR), Jammu, the 23rd batch left at 2:44 a.m. in a convoy of 83 vehicles comprising 41 buses, 11 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 30 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and one two-wheeler.

The batch comprised 1,406 male pilgrims and 389 women pilgrims. Officials said no pilgrims were scheduled to travel via the traditional Pahalgam route on Thursday, with all devotees proceeding through the Baltal axis.

The convoy is travelling under tight security with escort vehicles and an ambulance accompanying the pilgrims throughout the journey.

With the departure of Thursday’s batch, the total number of pilgrims who have left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for this year’s annual pilgrimage has reached 1,34,201, according to JPCR officials.

Meanwhile, the 22nd return convoy carrying 1,943 pilgrims departed from the Baltal base camp for Jammu on Thursday.

According to the Joint Police Control Room, Baltal, the return convoy comprised 1,413 male pilgrims, 392 women, 12 children, 97 sadhus and 29 sadhvis. The pilgrims were travelling in 63 vehicles, including 40 heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), 11 medium motor vehicles (MMVs) and 12 light motor vehicles (LMVs), under adequate security arrangements.